Kingdom of Bulgaria, 1944-1946

Last modified: 2001-08-02 by ivan marinov
Keywords: bulgaria | homeland front |
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by Zeljko Heimer

• Bulgarian flag of 1944
• Naval Ensign, 1945/6-47
• Bulgarian Communist Party

• Bulgaria

Bulgarian flag of 1944

The Bulgarian OF flag was used from 1944, when Russians occupied/liberated the country, until 1947, although I found it in an atlas of 1955. The letters OF stands for Otechestven front (Homeland Front) - the communist-led organisation that led the anti-Nazi struggle. As far as I know, it was not organized until 1944.

Zeljko Heimer, 24 APR 1996

I am submitting a GIF of the Bulgarian Naval Ensign. Since I don't have the documentation with me at the time, I am hesitant to submit any text. I do know and can say the following:

BULGARIAN NAVAL ENSIGN (1945/6-1947)

"The Bulgarian Naval Ensign that existed shortly after World War II was that of the former War Minister with a red star of communism substituted for the green saltaire used by the Kingdom. This flag existed for a short time and was replaced by the well-known ensign that consisted of a large red star in the hoist of a white field with narrow green and red stripes at the bottom."

Calvin Paige Herring,, 20 MAY 1998

Having read the FOTW page dealing with navy flags of Bulgaria, I would like to share with you some information in this connection.

After September uprising of 1944 the political system was changed and the "Fatherland Front" came to power. These changes caused also a modification of whole set of previous Bulgarian navy and rank flags. Naval Ministry which enjoyed its "autonomy" in internal questions, launched the process. But the official order to use new flags was issued on the 30th of May, 1949. This document came into power since the next day after its issue (1 June, 1949).

The new flags were in use for a very short period of time. Now, it is quite difficult to say for how long exactly. But the next officail govermental decree concerning the navy and ranks flags was issued on the 6th of December, 1954. New flags (including the well-known navy ensign styled on that of the USSR) had to be solemnly hoisted at 9.00 am on the 24th of June, 1955 at all Bulgarian vessels.

Andrew Rukkas, 05 March 1999